[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 80 (Monday, April 27, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20659-20660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-11109]



[[Page 20659]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Proposed Information Collection Request Submitted for Public 
Comment and Recommendations; Applications for a Permit To Fire More 
Than 20 Boreholes, for the Use of Nonpermissible Blasting Units, 
Explosives, and Shot-firing Units

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.
    Currently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is 
soliciting comments concerning the proposed extension of the 
information collection related to the application for a permit to fire 
more than 20 boreholes, for the use of nonpermissible blasting units, 
and for the use of nonpermissible explosives and nonpermissible shot-
firing units, and posting of warning notices with regard to mis-fired 
explosives. MSHA is particularly interested in comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request can be 
obtained by contacting the employee listed below in the For Further 
Information Contact section of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before June 26, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Patricia W. Silvey, Director, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Room 627, 
Arlington, VA 22203-1984. Commenters are encouraged to send their 
comments on a computer disk, or via E-mail to [email protected], along 
with an original printed copy. Ms. Silvey can be reached at (703) 235-
1910 (voice) or (703) 235-5551 (facsimile).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
George M. Fesak, Director, Office of Program Evaluation and Information 
Resources, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health 
Administration, Room 715, 4015 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203-
1984. Mr. Fesak can be reached at [email protected] (Internet E-mail), 
(703) 235-8378 (voice), or (703) 235-1563 (facsimile).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Under Section 313 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 
(Mine Act), 30 U.S.C. 873, a mine operator is required to use 
permissible explosives in underground coal mines. The Mine Act also 
provides that under safeguards prescribed by the Secretary of Labor, a 
mine operator may permit the firing of more than 20 shots and the use 
of nonpermissible explosives in sinking shafts and slopes from the 
surface in rock. Title 30, CFR 75.1321 outlines the procedures by which 
a permit may be issued for the firing of more than 20 boreholes and/or 
the use of nonpermissible shot-firing units in underground coal mines. 
In those instances in which there is a misfire of explosives, 30 CFR 
75.1327 requires that a qualified person post each accessible entrance 
to the affected area with a warning to prohibit entry. Title 30 CFR 
77.1909-1 outlines the procedures by which a coal mine operator may 
apply for a permit to use nonpermissible explosives and/or shot-firing 
units in the blasting of rock while sinking shafts or slopes for 
underground coal mines.

II. Current Actions

    Title 30, CFR 75.1321, 75.1327 and 77.1901-1 provide MSHA District 
Managers with the authority to address unusual but reoccurring blasting 
practices needed for breaking rock types more resilient than coal and 
for misfires in blasting coal. MSHA uses the information requested to 
issue permits to mine operators or shaft and slope contractors for the 
use of nonpermissible explosives and/or shot-firing units under 30 CFR 
Part 77, Subpart T--Slope and Shaft Sinking. Similar permits are issued 
by MSHA to underground coal mine operators for shooting more than 20 
bore holes and/or for the use of nonpermissible shot firing units when 
requested under 30 CFR Part 75, Subpart N--Explosives and Blasting. The 
approved permits allow the use of specific equipment and explosives in 
limited applications and under exceptional circumstances where standard 
coal blasting techniques or equipment is inadequate to the task. These 
permits inform mine management and the miners of the steps to be 
employed to protect the safety of any person exposed to such blasting 
while using nonpermissible items. Also, the posting of danger/warning 
signs at entrances to locations where an misfired blast hole or round 
remains indisposed is a safety precaution predating the Coal Mine 
Safety and Health Act.
    Type of Review: Extension (without change).
    Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.
    Title: 30 CFR 75.1321, 75.1327, and 77.1909-1--Applications for a 
permit to fire more than 20 boreholes, for the use of nonpermissible 
blasting units, and for the use of nonpermissible explosives and 
nonpermissible shot-firing units, and posting of warning notices with 
regard to misfired explosives (pertains to coal mining industry).
    OMB Number: 1219-0025.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit institutions.
    Cite/Reference/Form/etc: 30 CFR 75.1321, 75.1327 and 77.1901-1.

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                                   Total                                Total      Average time per     Burden  
        Cite/reference          respondents         Frequency         responses        response        (hours)  
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75.1321  Permit Appl..........           65  On Occasion...........           65  1 hour...........           65
75.1327  Misfire Notices                120  On Occasion...........          120  20 minutes.......           40
 Posted.                                                                                                        

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77.1909-1  Permit Appl........            5  On Occasion...........            5  1 hour...........            5
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    Totals....................  ...........  ......................          190  .................          110
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    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $755.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: April 20, 1998.
George M. Fesak,
Director, Program Evaluation and Information Resources.
[FR Doc. 98-11109 Filed 4-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-47-M